Buy Aretha: From These Roots

This book's price has really been jumping, so if you want it, better get it as soon as possible.  I suggest buying the Collectible since none of the sellers of the new book are credible (all under 98%).

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0375500332

Aretha Has Died at Age 76

We are extremely sorry to report that the incomparable Aretha Franklin has died in her hometown of Detroit, Michigan at the age of 76.


She not only brought joy to millions with her amazing voice; she inspired women with her anthems "Respect" and "Think", two of The Most Important Songs of the Rock Era*.

Rest in peace, Aretha.  You did so much for the world.

This Date in Rock Music History: August 16

1957:  Ricky Nelson recorded "Be-Bop Baby" at Master Recorders in Hollywood, California.
1957:  The Everly Brothers recorded "Wake Up Little Susie" in Nashville, Tennessee.
1957:  Buddy Holly & the Crickets played at none other than the Apollo Theater in the neighborhood of Harlem in Manhattan, New York for one week beginning on this date.  The tour was set up by Norman Petty, working with promoter Irving Feld.  (Note:  contrary to the movie 'The Buddy Holly Story' and numerous websites, which indicate that the Apollo didn't know the group was white, and did not discover this until they showed up, management at the Apollo did indeed know.  The Schiffman family, which owned the theatre, were aware that the Crickets were white.  Frank Schiffman's sons, Bobby and Jack, had seen the Crickets in Washington, D.C. during the first leg of the tour, according to the book 'Buddy Holly:  A Biography' by Ellis Amburn.  Unlike the other theatres which booked the Crickets only to be shocked that they were white, the Apollo booked them because black record-buyers were sending "That'll Be The Day" to the top of the R&B charts.)
1960:  Elvis Presley began filming of the movie Flaming Star.
1962:  Twelve-year-old Stevie Wonder released his first 45, "I Call It Pretty Music (But The Old People Call It The Blues)".  Marvin Gaye was the drummer.

This Date in Rock Music History: August 15

1958:  Buddy Holly and Maria Elena Santiago were married at Buddy's parents' home in Lubbock, Texas.

This Date in Rock Music History: August 14

1957:  Nat King Cole canceled his television show on NBC after a year-long search for a sponsor was fruitless.

Praying for the Queen of Soul

From Twitter reports by her friends, Aretha Franklin is gravely ill in Detroit, surrounded by friends and family.

This Date in Rock Music History: August 13

1959:  Bobby Darin signed a $1 million contract with Paramount Pictures.
1964:  The Supremes recorded "Baby Love".
1964:  Manfred Mann topped the U.K. charts with "Do Wah Diddy Diddy".
1965:  The Beatles released the album Help! in the United States.

This Date in Rock Music History: August 12

1956:  Elvis Presley received the key to the city of New Orleans, Louisiana.
1956:  The Platters performed on The Ed Sullivan Show.

This Date in Rock Music History: August 11

1957:  Jerry Lee Lewis performed on The Steve Allen Show on NBC-TV.  (Note:  some websites claim Lewis was on 'The Big Beat Show' on ABC-TV.  He performed on that show on August 2--on August 11, he was on 'The Steve Allen Show', according to 'Spin' magazine and 'TV.com'.  'The Big Beat Show" only lasted four episodes, with the last one being on August 2, the date that Lewis performed.)
1958:  "Patricia" by Perez Prado was #1 on the R&B chart.
1958:  In Billboard's second chart, Ricky Nelson remained at #1 ("Poor Little Fool") but Domenico Modugno rose from 54 to 2 with "Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare)".
1962:  Kid Galahad starring Elvis Presley premiered in theaters.  (Note:  there are websites which report the film's release as July 25 (one quotes a 'Variety' magazine article about the movie premiere from July 25, 1962 which we cannot find.  The official Graceland website reports that the film opened nationally in theaters on August 28 (some websites say August 29).  Unfortunately, there are no sources which definitively decide the correct date for the premiere, but our best research indicates that the film premiered on August 11.)

This Date in Rock Music History: August 10

1954:  Elvis Presley sang his new song "That's Alright Mama" at Overton Park in Memphis, Tennessee.

This Date in Rock Music History: August 9

1958:  Cliff Richard signed a recording contract with EMI Records and also began a four-week residency at Butlins Holiday Camp in Clacton-On-Sea, Essex.
1960:  Johnny Horton recorded "North To Alaska" at Quonset Hut Studio in Nashville, Tennessee.
1963:  The British television show Ready Steady Go! debuted on the BBC.
1964:  The Rolling Stones were live at the New Elizabeth Ballroom in Belle Vue, Manchester.
1965:  The Silkie recorded their version of "You've Got To Hide Your Love Away".  Paul McCartney played guitar, George Harrison played tambourine and John Lennon produced the song.

This Date in Rock Music History: August 8

1957:  We were introduced to the Fat Man as Fats Domino released his debut album This Is Fats.
1960:  Ferrante & Teicher had one of the fastest-rising songs of the decade as "Theme From 'The Apartment'" moved from #85 to #36.
1960:  Chubby Checker performed his smash hit "The Twist" on American Bandstand.

This Date in Rock Music History: August 7

1954:  Elvis Presley appeared at the Eagle's Nest in Memphis, Tennessee.

This Date in Rock Music History: August 6

1955:  "A Fool For You" by Ray Charles & His Band topped the R&B chart.
1956:  Chuck Berry, LaVern Baker, Frankie Lymon and Connie Francis (singing for actress Tuesday Weld) began work on the movie Rock, Rock, Rock!
1960:  The Beatles went to evaluate drummer Pete Best at the Casbah Coffee Club in Liverpool, England.  Best was with the group the Blackjacks and was the son of Casbah owner Mona Best.
1960:  Chubby Checker performed "The Twist" on The Dick Clark Saturday Night Beechnut Show.
1963:  Bob Dylan began recording the album The Times They Are A-Changin'.
1964:  Rod Stewart appeared on television for the first time with his group the Hootchie Coochie Men on the British show The Beat Room.
1965:  The Beatles released the album Help! in the U.K.  They released the album the following week (August 13) in the United States.

This Date in Rock Music History: August 5

1956:  Doris Day enjoyed the #1 spot in the U.K. with "Whatever Will Be Will Be". 

1957:  It was the national debut of American Bandstand on ABC-TV, hosted by Dick Clark.  Clark had hosted the show locally in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania since 1952.

This Date in Rock Music History: August 4

1957:  The Everly Brothers appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show to perform "Wake Up Little Susie" and "Bye Bye Love".

1958:  Billboard Magazine introduced the Hot 100, a chart that was meant to show the popularity and chart movement of single releases.

This Date in Rock Music History: August 3

1956:  Elvis Presley performed at the Olympia Theater in Miami, Florida, where he would do seven shows in two days.
1959:  The Kingston Trio were on the cover of Life magazine.
1959:  "What'd I Say" by Ray Charles moved into the #1 slot on the R&B chart.

This Date in Rock Music History: August 2

1953:  Skeeter Davis was injured in a car crash outside Cincinnati in which her singing partner, Betty Jack Davis, was killed.  

1957:  The Official Elvis Presley Fan Club was started in the U.K.
1961:  The Beatles began their famous gig as headliners at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, England.

This Date in Rock Music History: August 1

1954:  Fats Domino, Muddy Waters, the Clovers, the Orioles and Little Walter performed at the "Moondog Jubilee of Stars Under the Stars" at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, New York.  (Note:  some websites report that the event was on July 31, but the correct date is August 1, according to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Goldmine magazine.)
1960:  Aretha Franklin recorded her first non-gospel songs "Today I Sing The Blues", "Over The Rainbow", "Love Is The Only Thing" and "Right Now" at Columbia Recording Studios in New York City.
1960:  Elvis Presley was named Public Enemy #1 by the East German newspaper Young World.  Which explains why there is no more East Germany--anyone that dumb has no right being a country.

This Date in Rock Music History: July 31

1959:  Neil Sedaka recorded four takes of the song "Oh Carol!" that he had written for Carole King.

1959:  Cliff Richard ruled the U.K. chart with "Living Doll".
1961:  "The Boll Weevil Song" by Brook Benton was #1 on the Easy Listening chart for the third week.

This Date in Rock Music History: July 30

1954:  Elvis Presley performed at the Overton Park Shell in Memphis, Tennessee.
1956:  Brenda Lee recorded "Jambalaya" during her first recording session in Nashville, Tennessee.
1957:  The Elvis Presley movie Loving You opened in theaters nationwide.
1960:  Elvis Is Back was the #1 album in the U.K.

This Date in Rock Music History: July 29

1963:  Elvis Presley had the top U.K. Song with "(You're The ) Devil In Disguise".

1965:  The Beatles' movie Help! premiered at the Pavilion in London.
1966:  Bob Dylan suffered a serious accident when he crashed his motorcycle near Woodstock, New York.
1966:  Cream made their live debut at The Twisted Wheel in Manchester, England.
1966:  The Small Faces and Spencer Davis helped usher in the National Jazz and Blues Festival in England, being held for the first time at the Royal Windsor Racecourse in Windsor. 
1967:  The International Love-In Festival took place at Alexandra Palace in London with Pink Floyd, the Animals and the Crazy World of Arthur Brown among others.  
1967:  Petula Clark's "Don't Sleep In The Subway" continued to set the pace for a third week on the Easy Listening chart.  
1967:  "All You Need Is Love" by the Beatles moved up from #71 to #29 on this date.

This Date in Rock Music History: July 28

 

1955:  Chuck Berry released his first single on this date as "Maybellene" was sent to radio stations.1961:  The Tokens recorded "The Lion Sleeps Tonight".
1963:  Judy Collins, John Lee Hooker, and the Tarriers performed on the second day of the Newport Folk Festival.
1963:  The Beatles concluded a week of shows at the Odeon Cinema in Weston-Super-Mare, England.
1963:  "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport" by Rolf Harris was #1 for a third week on the Easy Listening chart.

This Date in Rock Music History: July 26

1960:  Sam Cooke released the single "Chain Gang".

This Date in Rock Music History: July 25

1960:  "Walk - Don't Run", one of The Top 100 Instrumentals of the Rock Era* from the Ventures, moved from 88 to 39 on this date.

This Date in Rock Music History: July 24

1962:  Booker T & the MG's released one of The Top 100 Instrumentals of the Rock Era*--"Green Onions".  (Note:  one website claims the single was released in September.  It debuted on the Singles chart on August 11, 1962.  It is physically impossible for a song to be ranked on the Singles chart if it has not been released as a single.)

This Date in Rock Music History: July 23

1955:  Slim Whitman had the #1 song in the U.K. with "Rose Marie".

This Date in Rock Music History: July 22

1963:  The Beatles released their first album Introducing the Beatles, the group's first U.S. album.

This Date in Rock Music History: July 21

1960:  Brian Hyland was the guest on the popular CBS television show To Tell the Truth.
1961:  The Everly Brothers reached #1 with "Temptation" in the U.K.

This Date in Rock Music History: July 20

1954:  Elvis Presley, with Scotty Moore and Bill Black as the Blue Moon Boys, gave his first concert in the flat bed of a truck in Memphis, Tennessee.

This Date in Rock Music History: July 19

1954:  Elvis Presley released his first single on Sun Records--"That's All Right".
1957:  Bobby Darin, Andy Williams, Chuck Berry and Frankie Lymon performed on Alan Freed's television show The Big Beat on ABC.
1958:  Manager George Treadwell fired all of the original Drifters and inserted the Five Crowns in their place.
1960:  Brian Hyland sang "Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini" on the popular television show American Bandstand. 

This Date in Rock Music History: July 18

1960:  Elvis Presley took out a mortgage on the Graceland mansion he had purchased in 1960 for $160,000.  Presley had several buildings and additions constructed and made several improvements to the property. 
1960:  Hank Ballard and the Midnighters released the single "The Twist".

This Date in Rock Music History: July 17

1961:  "Buttered Popcorn" was released as the second single from a new group called the Supremes.

This Date in Rock Music History: July 16

1955:  Fats Domino wouldn't budge from #1 on the R&B chart for a seventh week with "Ain't That A Shame".  It was Domino's first single.

1959:  The Coasters recorded "Poison Ivy" at Atlantic Recording Studios in New York City.

This Date in Rock Music History: July 15

1952:  Patti Page hosted a summer replacement series for Perry Como on television.
1952:  Eight-year-old Gladys Knight won the talent competition on the nationwide television program Ted Mack's Amateur Hour.  (Note:  some websites say Gladys was seven when she won the competition.  According to the book 'Notable Moments of Women in Music' by Jay Warner, Knight was eight.  She was born May 28, 1944 according to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and other credible sources.) 1956:  Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers climbed to #1 in the U.K. with "Why Do Fools Fall in Love".
1957:  Paul Anka debuted on the chart with his first single "Diana".  It had been released Monday, July 3.

This Date in Rock Music History: July 14

1956:  "I'm In Love Again" from Fats Domino was #1 on the R&B chart for a ninth week.
1958:  "Yakety Yak" by the Coasters maintained the #1 position for a seventh week on the R&B chart.
1962:  The Beatles played at the Regent Dansette in Rhyl, Wales.
1962:  "Roses Are Red" by Bobby Vinton edged up to #1. 

This Date in Rock Music History: July 13

1958:  Buddy Holly nearly drowned trying to swim across a lake in the North Woods, near Rhinelander, Wisconsin while on tour.
1962:  Bob Dylan signed a contract with publisher Witmark.
1963:  Elvis Presley had one of the hottest songs, "(You're The) Devil In Disguise", moving up from 49- to 16.
1963:  Rolf Harris scored a #1 on the Easy Listening chart with "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport".  

This Date in Rock Music History: July 12

1954:  Here's a case where someone did indeed "quit their day job" and it worked out fine.  Elvis Presley quit his job as a truck driver and signed a recording contract with Sun Records.
1957:  DJ Alan Freed began a 13-week Big Beat show on ABC television with the Everly Brothers, Connie Francis & Frankie Lymon.
1960:  Floyd Cramer recorded "Last Date".
1961:  Pat Boone began a 10-day tour of South Africa at the Ice Dome in Durban.
1962:  The Rolling Stones made their live debut at the Marquee Club in London.

This Date in Rock Music History: July 11

1960:  The Hollywood Argyles found themselves on top of the chart with "Alley-Oop".  15-year-old wonder Brenda Lee edged up with "I'm Sorry while Connie Francis tumbled from #1 with "Everybody's Somebody's Fool".
1962: Joe Meek wrote the instrumental "Telstar".
1964:  The Beatles performed live on the ABC television show Lucky Stars performing "A Hard Day's Night", "Long Tall Sally", "Things We Said Today" and "You Can't Do That".

This Date in Rock Music History: July 10

1958:  The Everly Brothers recorded "Devoted To You".

This Date in Rock Music History: July 9

This Date in Rock Music History: July 8

1954:  Sam Phillips, Elvis Presley's manager, gave Memphis D.J. Dewey Phillips of WHBQ Radio a copy of Presley's "That's All Right (Mama)" for his radio show and Presley appeared on Phillips' show.  Phillips that night became the first DJ to play an Elvis Presley song.  (Note:  several websites claim Phillips played the song on July 6 or 7.  According to the newspaper 'The Knoxville Journal', the official Graceland website and the book 'Turn It Up!  American Radio Tales 1946-1996' by Bob Shannon, the correct date is July 8.)
1958:  The soundtrack to Oklahoma! became the first album to be certified Gold by the Recording Industry of America (RIAA).

This Date in Rock Music History: July 7

1955:  Elvis Presley used part of his proceeds from an $5,000 advance to buy his mother a pink Cadillac.  Elvis and his parents had lived in low-income housing their entire lives.

This Date in Rock Music History: July 6

1956:  John Lennon met Paul McCartney at a dinner at St. Peter's Church in Liverpool, England and invited him to join his group the Quarrymen.  (Note:  several websites incorrectly state that the meeting took place on June 15.  It was July 6, as the poster advertising the event clearly shows.)

This Date in Rock Music History: July 5

1954:  Elvis Presley went into the recording studio for the first time, recording "That's All Right (Mama)" and "Blue Moon Of Kentucky" at Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee.
1958:  Ray Charles' appearance at the Newport Jazz Festival was recorded for the live album Ray Charles at Newport.

This Date in Rock Music History: July 4

1955:  Gene Vincent was in a serious accident when a car in Norfolk, Virginia hit his motorcycle, crushing his leg.
1956:  Elvis Presley performed a charity concert for the Memphis Press-Scimitar's Milk Fund in Memphis, Tennessee.
1958:  Buddy Holly and Frankie Avalon performed three concerts at the Buck Lake Ranch in Angola, India.
1958:  The Everly Brothers rolled into the #1 position in the U.K. with "All I Have To Do Is Dream".
1959:  The Brothers Four recorded the song "Greenfields".
1960:  Brian Hyland had the highest-debuting song with "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini".

This Date in Rock Music History: July 3

1965:  Cher had her first solo hit debut on the chart as "All I Really Want To Do" made the list.
1965:  Elvis reigned at #1 on the Easy Listening chart for the seventh week with "Crying In The Chapel".

This Date in Rock Music History: July 2

1956:  Another of the famous days in the Rock Era as Elvis Presley went into the recording studio and recorded "Hound Dog" and "Don't Be Cruel" at RCA Studios in New York City on this date.
1956:  Buddy Holly released his first solo single "Love Me" on Decca Records.

This Date in Rock Music History: July 1

1959:  Dave Brubeck recorded "Take Five" at the CBS Recording Studio in Manhattan, New York.
1962:  Gene Vincent and the new group the Beatles performed at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, England.
1963:  The Beatles recorded "She Loves You" and "I'll Get You" at EMI Studios in London.
1966:  Janis Joplin moved into the house owned by Big Brother & the Holding Company in Lagunitas in the San Geronimo Valley in California.  

This Date in Rock Music History: June 30

1956:  Fats Domino remained at #1 for a seventh week on the R&B chart with "I'm In Love Again".
1958:  "Yakety Yak" by the Coasters was the new #1 R&B song.
1962:  Ray Charles made it six weeks in a row on top the R&B chart with "I Can't Stop Loving You".

1962:  Charles' song was #1 on both the Popular chart and the Easy Listening chart for the fifth consecutive week.
1966:  The Supremes recorded "You Keep Me Hangin' On". 
1966:  The Beatles performed the first of three nights at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, Japan.
1967:  Vanilla Fudge made their live debut at Action House in Island Park, New York, in the first of three shows opening for the 5th Dimension.  (Note:  some websites claim the group made their live debut July 22, but according to the official website for Vanilla Fudge, their first show was June 30 in Island Park.) 
1969:  Fleetwood Mac performed in the show "Pop Proms" at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

This Date in Rock Music History: June 29

1956:  Elvis Presley sang "Hound Dog" on The Steve Allen television show.

This Date in Rock Music History: June 28

1959:  Bobby Darin topped all others on the U.K. Singles chart with "Dream Lover".
1962:  The Drifters recorded the song "Up On The Roof".

This Date in Rock Music History: June 27

1960:  Paul Anka, Pat Boone, Bobby Darin and Frankie Avalon appeared on the Coke Time television special on ABC.
1960:  Connie Francis scored a #1 with "Everybody's Somebody's Fool".
1963:  Billy Kramer recorded "Bad To Me".
1964:  The Rolling Stones served as panelists on the BBC-TV show Juke Box Jury.  (Note:  numerous websites incorrectly state that the group appeared on 'Juke Box Jury' on January 27, 1964.  They made only one appearance on the show, and it was on June 27, according to the official Rolling Stones website.)
1964:  "People" by Barbra Streisand topped the Easy Listening chart.
1964:  The 4 Seasons were tearing up the charts, moving from 53 to 18 with "Rag Doll".

This Date in Rock Music History: June 26

1955:  Decca Records announced that Bill Haley & the Comets had sold three million records in 13 months.
1955:  Elvis Presley played the first of three concerts at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi.  (Note:  several websites claim Presley played at Kessler Air Force Base.  There is no such base in Mississippi--the correct spelling is Keesler.)
1961:  Little did we realize it at the time, but a group that would enjoy tremendous success in the '70s and '80s was first introduced on this date.  The Spinners debuted on the chart with their first single, "That's What Girls Are Made For".

This Date in Rock Music History: June 25

1961:  Elvis Presley recorded "(Marie's The Name) His Latest Flame)" in Nashville, Tennessee.
1964:  Elvis Presley rose to #1 in the U.K. with "It's Over".

This Date in Rock Music History: June 24

1957:  A keyboard-banging star first emerged on the charts. He would go on to score 18 hits in the early years of the Rock Era.  On this date, Jerry Lee Lewis debuted with his first single--"Whole Lotta' Shakin' Goin' On".

This Date in Rock Music History: June 23

1958:  A new singer named Bobby Darin debuted on the charts with his first hit song--"Splish Splash", which eventually landed in the Top 10.

1960:  Paul Anka became the youngest performer (age 20) to perform at the Copacabana in New York City.
1960:  Eddie Cochran hit #1 in the U.K. with "Three Steps To Heaven" a little over two months after he had been killed in a car crash.  (Note:  Some websites claim the song reached #1 three months after Cochran died.  Eddie died April 17, which is barely over two months before the song hit #1.)
1962:  Orlons moved from 60 to 30 with "The Wah Watusi".
1962:  The Soundtrack to "West Side Story" was #1 on the U.K. Album chart.

This Date in Rock Music History: June 22

1956:  Elvis Presley began three days of concerts at the Paramount in Atlanta, Georgia.
1958:  Vic Damone had the #1 song in the U.K. with "On The Street Where You Live".

This Date in Rock Music History: June 21

1948:  Columbia Records began mass production of the amazing new product--the 33 1/3 RPM long-playing record.  The format would dominate music sales well into the 1980s.
1955:  Elvis Presley appeared in concert at Beaumont, Texas.

This Date in Rock Music History: June 20

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This Date in Rock Music History: June 19

1960:  The Kingston Trio debuted their radio show on CBS Radio.
1961:  Producer Bert Kaempfert signed a contract with the Beatles.  (Note:  several websites claim that Kaempfert signed a contract with the Beat Boys, who they later said became the Beatles, on July 20, 1961.  The Beatles were never known as the Beat Boys; in fact, by July of 1960, the group changed their name permanently to the Beatles.  John Lennon first formed a group called the Black Jacks, which became the Quarrymen, Johnny and the Moondogs, the Beatals, the Silver Beetles, the Silver Beats, and the Silver Beatles, before the group settled on the name the Beatles.

This Date in Rock Music History: June 18

1948:  Columbia Records displayed its new 33 1/3 long-playing record in New York City.  The new format allowed 23 minutes per side as opposed to 3 minutes for a 78 RPM record.
1964:  The Beatles performed at Sydney Stadium in Sydney, Australia.

This Date in Rock Music History: June 17

1933:  A man by the name of Vernon Presley married a woman by the name of Gladys Smith in Ponotoc, Mississippi.  They would give berth to a son, Elvis, a year-and-a-half later.
1954:  Danny Cedrone, guitarist who can be heard on the famous song "Rock Around The Clock", died 10 days after recording the record after falling down a staircase.  (Note:  some websites insist Danny died on July 17, 1954.  The correct date of death is June 17, according to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, and the book 'Legends of Rock Guitar:  The Essential Reference of Rock's Greatest Guitarists' by Pete Prown and Harvey P. Newquist.)

 

This Date in Rock Music History: June 16

1956:  The world was introduced to a guy on this date that would become a superstar.  Roy Orbison humbly debuted on the chart with "Ooby Dooby".
1958:  This famous R&B group originally known as the Roosters would go on to register 39 hits, but on this date, they first appeared on the charts with "For Your Precious Love", the first single for Jerry Butler & the Impressions.
1959:  Russ Conway had the top U.K. hit with "Roulette".
1961:  Gary "U.S." Bonds appeared on American Bandstand.
1962:  "I Can't Stop Loving You" by Ray Charles was #1 on the R&B chart for the fourth week in a row.
1965:  Bob Dylan recorded "Like A Rolling Stone."   (Note:  some websites report that Dylan recorded the song on June 14 and others say it was on June 15.  According to 'Rolling Stone' magazine, Bob recorded it on June 16.)
1965:  Petula Clark and Gary Lewis & the Playboys appeared on the television show Shindig!

This Date in Rock Music History: June 15

1958 - The Platters sang "Twilight Time" on The Ed Sullivan Show. 
1958:  The all-music show Oh Boy was broadcast for the first time in the U.K.
1959:  Paul Anka's "Lonely Boy" was the only new entry into the Top 10, but it made a huge move--18-8 on this date.

This Date in Rock Music History: June 14

1963:  The Beatles performed at the new Brighton Tower in England, with Gerry & the Pacemakers opening.
1964:  250,000 people in Australia were on hand to greet the Beatles in Melbourne.
1965:  Paul McCartney of the Beatles recorded the song "Yesterday" in two takes.  It was a significant departure from the Beatles' norm, as McCartney was the only group member on the song.


1965:  Sonny & Cher released the single "I Got You Babe".  (Note:  some websites naively say the song was released July 9.  The song debuted on the Singles chart on July 10.  It is physically impossible for a record company to release a single, mail it to radio stations throughout the country, be received by those stations, listened to and added to radio station playlists, reported to trade papers, and be printed and published by the trade papers, all in one day.  The song was released June 14.)
1967:  The Monkees began recording "Daydream Believer".
1967:  The Doors were in concert at Steve Paul's The Scene in New York City with Jimi Hendrix in attendance.

1969:  Marvin Gaye spent a second week at the top of the R&B chart with "Too Busy Thinking About My Baby".  It would hold off all challengers for four more weeks.
1969:  "Love Theme From "Romeo & Juliet", one of the Top Instrumentals of the Rock Era*, was #1 on the Easy Listening chart for a second week.  
1969:  The Soundtrack to "Hair" was #1 on the Album chart for the eighth week.  Blood, Sweat & Tears spent their 12th week in the Top Three with their debut while Nashville Skyline by Bob Dylan was #3.  
1969:  "Crystal Blue Persuasion", the great song from Tommy James and the Shondells, moved from 89 to 57.
1970:  Eric Clapton's new band, Derek and the Dominos, made their first appearance at the Lyceum in London.

                                        Three Dog Night was on their way...

1969:  The Beatles ruled for a fourth week with "Get Back", holding off Henry Mancini, who made an 8-2 move with "Love Theme From 'Romeo & Juliet'".  Elvis Presley's brilliant song "In The Ghetto" was third with CCR closing with their newest, "Bad Moon Rising".  The rest of the Top 10:  Newcomers Mercy with "Love (Can Make You Happy)", the Friends of Distinction were groovin' with "Grazing In The Grass", the Edwin Hawkins Singers dropped with "Oh Happy Day", Marvin Gaye was at position #8 with "Too Busy Thinking About My Baby", the Guess Who was still strong after 11 weeks with "These Eyes" and Three Dog night scored the first Top 10 of their career with "One".




1970:  Grand Funk purchased a billboard in New York's Times Square to advertise their new single "Closer To Home".
1972:  The Greatest Hits album of Simon and Garfunkel was released two years after the duo split up.
1972:  Led Zeppelin played the first of two nights at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York.  Led Zep played for three hours and gave four encores in front of over 16,000 fans.
1972:  Simon and Garfunkel and Peter, Paul & Mary played a benefit concert for United States presidential contender George McGovern at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
1975:  Gwen McCrae watched husband George score a #1 R&B and Top 40 smash with "Rock Your Baby" earlier in the year and then went into the recording studio and recorded "Rockin' Chair", which became the #1 R&B song on this date.

1975:  The classic song "Wildfire" reached #1 for Michael Murphey on the Adult chart.
1975:  Elton John's album Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy, which debuted at #1, continued as the top album in the land.  New entries in the Top 10 included Stampede from the Doobie Brothers, Four Wheel Drive by Bachman-Turner Overdrive and Spirit of America from the Beach Boys.






1975:  America scored their second #1 song (following their debut "A Horse With No Name" in 1972) with "Sister Golden Hair".  The Captain & Tennille were closing fast (12-2) with their debut hit "Love Will Keep Us Together" and Linda Ronstadt moved to challenge with "When Will I Be Loved".  Grand Funk had a solid hit with "Bad Time" at #4 and Chicago was stuck at 5 with "Old Days".  The rest of the Top 10:  "I'm Not Lisa" from Jessi Colter, Major Harris at 7 with "Love Won't Let Me Wait", John Denver tumbled to #8 with "Thank God I'm A Country Boy", the former #1 "Philadelphia Freedom" was amazingly back in the Top 10 for the Elton John Band and Joe Simon was at #10 with "Get Down, Get Down (Get On the Floor)".
1979:  Little Feat announced they were breaking up.
1980:  The movie Roadie, starring Meat Loaf, debuted in theaters.

  1980:  "Little Jeannie" by Elton John climbed to #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart.  It was Elton's 5th AC #1, following "Daniel", "Don't Go Breaking My Heart", "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word" and "Mama Can't Buy You Love".

  

The Pretenders remained in the Top 10 because of songs like one of The Top Unknown/Underrated Songs of the Rock Era*--"Mystery Achievement"...


1980:  Glass Houses took over at #1 on the Album chart, giving Billy Joel his second #1 album.  Against the Wind slipped to 2 after six weeks at the top.  Just One Night by Eric Clapton was surprisingly up to 3 with Pink Floyd slipping to #4 with The Wall.  The rest of the Top 10:  Mouth To Mouth by Lipps, Inc., Van Halen's Women and Children First at #6, the debut from Christopher Cross up to #7, Middle Man from Boz Scaggs at #8, the Pretenders' great debut at #9 and the Soundtrack to "The Empire Strikes Back" moving from 17-10.
1981:  The "No Nukes" concert, featuring Bruce Springsteen, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt and others, was held at the Hollywood Bowl.
1982:  The Pretenders fired bass player Pete Farndon.
1986:  Queen scored a #1 album in the U.K. with A Kind of Magic.

1986:  "Glory of Love" by Sun Valley, Idaho's Peter Cetera was the Biggest Mover, climbing from 62-49.
1986:  "Nasty" by Janet Jackson reached #1 on the R&B chart.
1986:  "On My Own", the duet pairing Patti LaBelle & Michael McDonald, reached #1 after 13 weeks, replacing Madonna's "Live To Tell" at the top spot.  "I Can't Wait" from Nu Shooz was #3 with Billy Ocean's "There'll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry)" at #4, his fifth Top 10 in his last six releases.  The rest of the list:  "Crush On You" from the Jets, Whitney Houston's former #1 "Greatest Love Of All", George Michael's first solo hit "A Different Corner" at #7, Howard Jones moved up from 14-8 with "No One Is To Blame", Mike + the Mechanics on their way down with "All I Need Is A Miracle" and Level 42's "Something About You" at #10.

1986:  Incredibly, the album Whitney Houston was still at #1 nearly a year after its release.
1989:  Pete DeFreitas, drummer of Echo & the Bunnymen died in a motorcycle accident at age 27.  DeFreitas was en route from Liverpool, England to London and was instantly killed when his motorcycle collided with a car neaer Longdon Green, Staffordshire. 

1994:  Henry Mancini died at the age of 70 from pancreatic and liver cancer in Los Angeles.
1995:  Michael Jackson and wife Lisa Marie Presley appeared on television for a live interview with Diane Sawyer.  The appearance drew an audience of 60 million people.
1995:  Elite guitarist Rory Gallagher died in London.  While waiting for a liver transplant, Gallagher spent 13 weeks in intensive care, and it was during this time that he contracted a staphylococcal infection and died as a result.  
1997:  Only in 1997 could a song of this caliber do this--"I'll Be Missing You" by Puff Daddy & Faith Evans debuted at #1.    To let you know how hard it was, they replaced "MMMBop" by Hanson at #1.
1997:  Spice by the Spice Girls was #1 on the Album chart for the fourth straight week.  
2003:  Queen Elizabeth awarded Gerry Marsden of Gerry & the Pacemakers a Member of the Order of the British Empire medal.

 
2003:  Queen Elizabeth conferred upon Sting the title of Commander of the British Empire.
2004:  Warner Brothers bought out Madonna's shares in Maverick Records, a label she had owned for 12 years.  Alanis Morissette and the Deftones recorded on Maverick.  (Note:  some websites report the deal was announced June 13.  According to 'CBS News' and other reliable sources, the deal was announced Monday, June 14.)
2006:  AFI had the top album with Decemberunderground.
2010:  Michael Jackson was posthumously inducted and Aretha Franklin was inducted to the Apollo Theater Hall of Fame in Harlem, New York.


Born This Day:
1909:  Burl Ives ("A Holly Jolly Christmas") was born in Hunt City, Illinois; died of oral cancer from smoking April 14, 1995 in Anacortes, Washington.
1931:  Junior Walker ("Shotgun") was born in Blytheville, Arkansas; died of cancer at the age of 64 on November 23, 1995 in Battle Creek, Michigan.

1945: Rod Argent, vocalist and keyboardist of the Hollies, the Zombies and Argent, was born in St Albans, Hertfordshire, England.
1947:  Barry "The Fish" Melton, co-founder and lead guitarist of Country Joe & the Fish, was born in Brooklyn, New York.
1949: Alan White, drummer with John Lennon's Plastic Ono Band as well as Yes, was born in Pelton, County Durham, England.
1952: Jim Lea of Slade ("Run Runaway") was born in Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, England.  (Note:  some websites naively say Lea was born in Wolverhampton, West Midlands, England.  The county of West Midlands was not created until 1976, 24 years after Lea was born, making it physically impossible for him to have been born in the county of West Midlands.  Wolverhampton was included in the county of Staffordshire in 1952, the year Lea was born.)
1958: Nick Van Eede of the Cutting Crew was born in Cuckfield, West Sussex, England.
1961:  Boy George (George O'Dowd) was born in Bexley, Kent, England.  (Note:  one website claims Boy George was born in London.  Another says he was born in Eltham, Kent, England.  According to his official website, George was born in Bexley, which in 1961 was in the county of Kent.  Bexley did not become part of the county of London until 1965, four years after George was born.)
1963:  Chris Degarmo of Queensryche was born in Wenatchee, Washington.
1971:  Billie Myers ("Kiss The Rain" from 1998) was born in Coventry, Warwickshire, England.  (Note:  some websites naively say Myers was born in Coventry, West Midlands, England.  West Midlands did not become a county until 1974, three years after Myers was born, so it is physically impossible for her to have been born in West Midlands and you will never see West Midlands listed as her county of birth on an official birth certificate.)
1983:  Siobhan Donaghy of the Sugababes was born in London, England.

This Date in Rock Music History: June 13

1958 - Frank Zappa graduated from Antelope Valley High in Lancaster, CA. 
1960:  Little Brenda Lee took a giant leap up the charts, moving from 76 to 38 with "I'm Sorry".